Taking screenshots of Instagram Stories is a way to make someone’s story “last forever” in your gallery. It can be embarrassing to get caught doing this, though. Thus, you’re asking “Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story?” The answer and some tips to avoid getting caught will be revealed here. So, read on!
Also read: How to Screenshot on Snapchat Without Them Knowing
Inside This Article
- Why You Would Want to Take Screenshots on Instagram
- Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
- Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Post?=
- Will Instagram Notify When You Screenshot ‘Disappearing’ Files?
- How Does Instagram Notify When Someone Takes a Screenshot?
- How to Capture Instagram Stories Without Being Detected
- Can You View Instagram Stories Without Being Identified?
Why You Would Want to Take Screenshots on Instagram
Perhaps you’ve read our Instagram Stories guide and already checked out some stories. However, it’s not only the thought of getting caught that hinders you from screenshotting stories. You’re also wondering what you will gain from taking screenshots. If so, let’s see some good reasons why you would want to screenshot on Instagram.
Screenshotting lets you:
1. View the story in more detail
2. Fully decipher someone’s thoughts posted in their story
3. Save a copy of the story for sending to others who might appreciate it too
4. Keep the story for offline viewing
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
Now, let’s answer the most important inquiry. Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story?
If you were using the app back in 2018, “yes” is the answer. Facebook (now Meta) released an update that could notify users of story screenshots. It later revoked this decision in favor of anonymity, though.
Given that, the answer as of writing is “no”. Instagram will not notify you if someone else screenshots your story. You can also freely screenshot someone else’s story without worrying about getting caught. Moreover, this applies not just to screenshots but screen recordings as well.
Now you won’t have to deal with awkward conversations with friends. You also won’t need to worry about an infinite number of screenshot notifications if you’re an influencer.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Post?
How about for posts, you ask? Instagram never released a notification for photo or video post screenshots. Thus, you can take a screen capture of a user’s posts without repercussions. Also, you can do a screen recording without notifying other users.
Furthermore, Instagram doesn’t notify its users when someone takes a screen capture of their profiles. Hence, you can snap a screenshot of someone’s profile without qualms.
Will Instagram Notify When You Screenshot ‘Disappearing’ Files?
Instagram does not currently notify when you screenshot a story. However, a notification will trigger if you screenshot disappearing media files. That is because disappearing photos and videos are ultra-private; they’re not something you can freely share. This is the whole point of the whole “disappearing” feature.
What is a disappearing message? Simply put, it is a photo or video you shoot from the camera within the private chat. It’s only viewable for a limited period and disappears once the other party sees it. If you send a file from your gallery or camera roll, Instagram won’t consider it as a “disappearing” photo or video.
Screenshotting regular private messages are also free from notifications. Hence, you can pretty much screenshot anything within Instagram, except disappearing media files.
How Does Instagram Notify When Someone Takes a Screenshot?
Instagram sends pop-up alerts to devices. Those messages notify users about the screenshotted disappearing photo or video and the username of the other party. They appear in the notification pane.
What if the photo or video file got captured within the DM chat itself? Instagram will add a small radial icon next to the file you sent.
How to Capture Instagram Stories Without Being Detected
Hiding your Instagram Story or post screenshot activities isn’t necessary. Instagram won’t bother about alerting the uploader. You can go ahead and hit the buttons for taking a screenshot.
That said, Instagram detects and alerts about screenshot activities involving disappearing media files. You might need to try these to take screenshots of disappearing media files discreetly:
1. Borrow someone else’s phone, tablet, or DSLR and take a photo of the message.
2. Switch to Airplane mode right before you take the screenshot.
*This will make you offline and stop Instagram from detecting that your device captured someone’s disappearing message.
3. Log in to Instagram on a computer, go to your DM of choice, and then take a screenshot.
*Instagram can’t detect screenshots made by computers so it won’t send a notification.
Can You View Instagram Stories Without Being Identified?
Yes, you may look at Instagram stories anonymously. You will need anonymous Instagram story-viewing apps. Some apps even double as Instagram story savers. They let you view stories after those expire.
Final Word
Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story? The answer is now clear. Instagram won’t alert any user of such activity as of writing. However, it did implement the feature in the past. This means that the technology exists. Also, Instagram could implement it again at any time.
For now, you can feel at ease screenshotting someone else’s stories. They won’t find out even if you take screenshots multiple times. With this, you can make others’ stories “permanent”. You can even send the stories to other people outside Instagram.
